ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (OHIO EPA)

DIVISION OF EMERGENCY & REMEDIAL RESPONSE (DERR)

us EPA RECORDS CENTER REGION 5 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT REPORT

418260 Little Scioto River Marion USEPA ID QHN000509950

Prepared by: Date: September 18, 2006

Reviewed by: Steve Snyder Date: September 18, 2006 jpjjM.^ C ^^P^Jloi_ Site Coordinator DBRR-NWDQ

Reviewed by: Jessica Page Date: A ^oli i/o 0 fe Assessment Co/ai^inator DERR-SABR

Approved by: Erica Islas Date: it/2./0(/j

Early Action Program Manager, U.S. EPA

S0 3DVd Vd30 qbTPb^qbTq bbrnn ^nnv icv im 1.0 Introduction

A Preliminary Assessment (PA) was performed by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency under the authority of the U.S. EPA cooperative agreement. The site is the Little Scioto River (LSR), CERCLIS identification number OHN000509950. The CERCLIS site address is Holland Road Bridge, Marion, OH. In addition to contamination contained within the existing river channel, the PA includes the residual creosote contamination previously identified outside the river channel and the historic river channel prior to the river being channelized. Based upon review of historical topography maps, it appears that the LSR was channelized prior to 1961. Currently, Ohio EPA has a formal file request into the Army Corp. of Engineers for file information on channeling of the LSR. Additionally, both ground water and surface water contamination potential is a concern with the LSR.

The purpose of the PA is to assess the immediate and potential threats to human health and the environment from polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). contained within the creosote laden sediments. During U.S. EPA's removal action, contamination identified in sand/gravel formations extending outside the river channel was not completely removed. The remaining contamination may pose a threat to both human health and the environment. The impacted portion of the river is located within a well head protection area (WHPA) for the city of Marion. The city of Marion uses both public wells and a surface water intake from the LSR to supply public water to the citizens of Marion. The well field is located just north of the first removal area which U.S. EPA completed in 2002.

2.0 Background

Site Name: Little Scioto River Alias:

DERR I.D. No.: U.S.EPA I.D. No.: OHN000509950

District: Northwest District Office County: Marion

Site Address: Located from the intersection of Holland Road and North Rockswale Ditch to State Route 739 (Approximately 8.5 River Miles)

Directions to Site: From Columbus, take US 23 North to State Route 95 West. Follow State Route 95 through downtown Marion and take State Route 309 North to Holland Road West. The river is located approximately 1.5 miles west of the intersection of Holland Road and State Route 309.

Latitude: 40.591354 Longitude: -83.183723

2.1 Maps

Maps are included as an attachment to this PA. The attachments include the Site Location Map, Site Features Map, the Previous Extent of U.S. EPA's Removal Action, and a Department of the Interior Geological Survey (Historical Topographic Map of the Little Scioto River). 3.0 Site Description

The LSR PA study includes approximately 8.5 river miles including 0.5 miles of North Rockswale Ditch. Analytical data from previous sampling events indicates that sediments are grossly contaminated with coal-tar creosote (PAH compounds). The sediments are contaminated as a result of historic discharges to North Rockswale Ditch and the LSR from the Baker Wood Creosoting (BWC) site. Both sites are located in Marion Township, Marion County, Ohio. The LSR predominately flows north to south and is located just west of the City of Marion. The LSR feeds the Scioto River, which is a major tributary to the . Historical documents from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) indicate that coal-tar creosote was discharged directly into the river in the mid-1940's from the BWC.

The BWC site is located at the northwest corner of Holland Road and Kenton Street (State Route 309), Marion, Marion County, Ohio, and is approximately !4 mile northwest of downtown Marion. Approximately V2 mile west of the BWC site, North Rockswale Ditch crosses beneath Holland Road, then parallels the road until it discharges into the river approximately 1 mile west of the BWC site. The present owner of the BWC site is the Baker Wood Limited Partnership. At one time, they used the eastern portion of the property for scrap metal salvage. The site is currently vacant with no on-site workers. The owner of the property and the BWC, when it was active, is now deceased. Most of the 60-acre property was utilized as a railroad tie dying and storage yard and encompasses the entire western portion of the BWC site.

3.1 Regulatory Information

Based on the location and nature of the contamination, the historic releases now contained in the river sediments and sand/gravel features intersecting the river pose an imminent threat of continued discharge of creosote into both surface and ground waters of the State. Due to this gross contamination, a joint advisory was issued by ODH and the Marion County Health Department against swimming, wading, and eating fish caught in a 4-mile length of the LSR, west of the city of Marion from Holland Road south to State Route 739. Also, the ODH, in cooperation with Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), issued consumption advisories under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code 3701). The Ohio Sport fish consumption advisory recommends not eating any fish from this area due to the PAH contamination.

3.2 Site History

The former BWC operated as a preserver of lumber products in Marion from approximately 1890 to 1960. An 1812 Sanborn insurance map indicates that railroad ties were preserved with coal-tar creosote and then stacked to dry on the western portion of the property. The most likely process used at the facility to treat wood products was pressurized cylinders with creosote, in combination with petroleum and other solvents. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), predecessor to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA), first cited the Baker Wood Preserving Company as a contributor of contamination to surface water (Little Scioto River) on September 4, 1946. In a letter dated December 4, 1946, to the BWC, the ODH indicated that chemicals (coal-tar creosote) were being discharged from the BWC site directly to the combined sewers that drain into North Rockswale Ditch and the LSR. The company was informed by ODH that it should install a waste treatment system. The treatment system was not in place until 1953. Following the installation of the treatment system, ODH documented the continued discharge of creosote materials from the BWC property. The letters urged the company to cease any operations affecting the water quality in the LSR.

From 1970 until the early 1990's, the eastern portion of the property was utilized by Sims Brothers, Inc., to operate a scrap metal salvage yard. Sims Brother's Inc., purchased the property from D.B. Frampton Company of Columbus, Ohio. The D.B. Frampton Company merged with Baker Wood Preserving Company in the 1950's. It is not known what type of practices occurred during the salvage operations.

3.3 Previous Field Work

In October 1991, the Ohio EPA Site Investigation Field Unit (SIFU) conducted a field investigation on the BWC property. The purpose of the investigation was to determine whether hazardous substances existed on the property and if they were migrating from the site. The study concluded that polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were present at the property. However; it was inconclusive at the time of the investigation whether PAH contamination from the BWC property had migrated off-site to the LSR.

From August 1992 to February 1993, Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water conducted biological community, fish tissue, biomarker, sediment and surface water sampling of the Little Scioto River. Sediment sampling was also conducted in the North Rockswale Ditch, Rockswale Ditch, and Columbia Ditch. Conclusions made from these investigations determined severe biological and water quality degradation in the Little Scioto River, the entirety of Rockswale Ditch, and the lower 1 mile of Columbia Ditch. Concentrations of PAH compounds in these sediments were among the highest observed in published literature at the time. Five of the PAH compounds identified in the Little Scioto River sediment have been recognized as possible human carcinogens benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene). According to the Toxicological Profile for Creosote, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996, at least 75 percent of the coal tar creosote mixture is PAHs. Benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b) fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene are identified as PAH components of coal tar pitch. On March 20, 1992, the ODH issued an advisory against swimming, wading, and eating fish caught in a 4 mile length of the Little Scioto River, west of the City of Marion from Holland Road south to State Route 739.

An Ohio EPA report titled. Biological. Sediment and Water Quality Study of the Little Scioto River. Marion. Ohio, dated April 8, 1994, indicated that elevated levels of at least 17 PAH compounds were identified in North Rockswale Ditch and the outfall to the LSR. The report also confirms that black sludge exhibiting a creosote odor is present in this area of the LSR and that fish were exposed to high concentrations of PAH compounds.

Ohio EPA performed an Integrated Assessment (lA) at the BWC site. The report indicated that direct observations during heavy precipitation and high water in the combined sewer, the outfall waters contained visible oil sheen. The combined sanitary/storm sewer is located adjacent to the BWC site, along the southern border. Sewer tie-ins from the BWC site were likely the transport mechanism of creosote discharging off-site. The water in the sewer, as well as the sediment of the ditch, were sampled and analyzed by Ohio EPA. Analytical data confirmed the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and poly-aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, directly related to coal tar and creosote. According to the Ohio EPA lA report, extremely high levels of VOC and PAH compounds existed in waste buried or partially buried at the BWC site.

In addifion to the lA completed by Ohio EPA's SIFU in 1998 the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water completed a report which included the LSR entitled Biological and Water Quality Study of Marion Area Streams 1998. The sampling results collected during the 1998 event confirmed the results from the previously recorded 1992 event. The sediments for at least 4 miles downstream of Holland Road were severely contaminated with PAH compounds and several heavy metals. The comparison of the 1992 and 1998 data results indicated no improvement in the water quality of the lower section of the LSR. The combination of highly elevated anomalies and very low community index scores is indicative of extremely toxic conditions. Abnormalities in fish were extremely prevalent in the LSR downstream from Marion. The report concluded that the large number of pollution tolerant species (common carp, gold fish, and white sucker) and the high amount of abnormalities in the fish suggested toxic condition continue to exist in the lower section of the LSR. PAH contaminated levels had not shown any improvement since the first studies conducted by the Ohio EPA in 1988.

An Expanded Site Investigation was completed by the Ohio EPA in 2003. The investigation concluded that the BWC site was no longer posing a threat to the LSR. However, the ground water pathway was still a concern since the city of Marion obtains its drinking water from both the LSR and Scioto River along with ground water wells.

3.4 U.S. EPA Removal Actions

From May 1999, through May 2000, U.S. EPA conducted a removal site assessment of the LSR and North Rockswale Ditch pertaining to creosote contamination. Of the 94 sediment samples collected, 53 exhibited creosote contamination with the majority of the contamination occurring in the upper 2.5 miles of the LSR study zone. The study concluded that approximately 4 miles of the LSR and /4 mile of North Rockswale ditch are contaminated with creosote resulting in an estimated 40,000 cubic yards of impacted sediment. Additional information can be obtained from the report titled The Little Scioto River and North Rockswale Ditch Assessment, written by Ecology and Environment, Inc., dated May 25, 2000.

On June 10, 2002, U.S. EPA mobilized the Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor. Environmental Quality Management Inc. (EQM), and the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor, Tetra Tech EM Inc., to conduct the initial phase of removal acfivities at the LSR site. From June 10 to December 18, 2002, approximately 7,500 cubic yards of contaminated sediment have been excavated from approximately 2,800 feet of NRD; and approximately 17,840 cubic yards have been excavated from approximately 2,900 feet of the LSR. Approximately 269,000 gallons of non-hazardous water have been hauled off site for disposal. From May 27 through July 17, 2003, approximately 42,000 tons of creosote contaminated (non-hazardous) soil was transported from site and disposed at a landfill. In addition, approximately 140,000 gallons of non-hazardous water (generated from contaminated soil de-watering) was transported off site for disposal. This action was conducted under Oil Pollution Act authority. 3.5 Current Removal Activities

In 2005, Ohio EPA obligated funds ($1 million) to be used for additional cleanup at the Little Scioto River Site. Ohio EPA requested federal assistance and the U.S. EPA Superfund removal program obligated an additional $2.5 million to the project. The funds will be used under Phase 2 to clean approximately a % mile portion of the Little Scioto River.

On May 22, 2006, U.S. EPA mobilized the Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor, Environmental Quality Management Inc., (EQM), and the Superfund Technical Assistance and Response (START) contractor, Tetra Tech EM Inc., to site to continue with removal activities at the Little Scioto River. Site planning, command post establishment, and staging of materials have been conducted to date. Phase 2 of the project is approximately 75 percent complete.

4.0 Geology. Soils. Topograptiy and Hydrogeology

4.1 Geology

Bedrock underlying the surface of Marion County belongs to the Silurian, Devonian, and Mississippian Systems, Carbonate (limestone and dolomite) bedrock underlies the western and central portions of Marion County. A review of well logs from in the vicinity of the site (Appendix B) indicates that the geology of Marion County consists primarily of fractured limestone deposits with a thin, clayey till overburden. The depth of bedrock ranges from approximately 5 feet near the former Baker Wood Preserving site to greater than 80 feet 3 miles west of the site.

4.2 Soils

According to the Soil Sun/ey of Marion County, Ohio, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservafion Service, 1989, the soils at the BWC site consist of the Blount-Urban Land complex and the Pewamo-Urban Land complex. The Blount-Urban Land complex contains moderate to poorly drained soils. Permeability of the soil is slow to moderately slow. The upper layer of the Blount soil is approximately 10 inches thick and contains mottled firm clay loam. The urban land is compromised of moderately well drained Glynwood soils and very poorly drained Pewamo soils.

The Pewamo-Urban Land complex consists of soils that are poorly drained and contain silty clay loam and urban land. The upper layer of the Pewamo soil is approximately 11 inches thick and contains firm silty clay and silty clay loam. The subsoil is approximately 42 inches thick and also contains silty clay loam. The underlying material is approximately 60 inches thick and consists of very firm clay loam and glacial till. The soils surrounding the section of the Little Scioto River samples during the assessment consist of Saranac silty clay loam occasionally flooded, Saranac silty clay loam frequently flooded, Sloan silty clay loam occasionally flooded, and Udorthents loamy soils. The Saranac silty clay loam occasionally flooded soils are very poorly drained. The surface layer is approximately 12 inches thick and contains firm silty clay loam. The subsurface layer is approximately five inches thick and also contains firm silty clay loam. The subsoil is approximately 18 inches thick and contains mottled very firm silty clay and firm silty clay loam. The underlying layer to a depth of approximately 60 inches contains mottled, firm, stratified silty clay loam and silty clay. The soils of the Saranac silty clay loam frequently flooded are very poorly drained. The surface soil is approximately 12 inches thick and contains firm silty and silty clay loam. The underlying material to a depth of approximately 60 inches is mottled, firm, stratified silty clay loam and silty clay. The soils of the Sloan silty clay loam occasionally flooded are very poorly drained. The surface soil is approximately 8 inches thick and consists of friable silty clay loam. The subsurface soil is approximately 3 inches thick and also consists of a firm silty clay loam. The subsoil is approximately 36 inches thick and consists of mottled, friable silt loam and firm clay loam. The underlying material to a depth of approximately 60 inches consists of mottled, firm silty clay loam. The Udorthents, loamy soils consist of material with very slow permeability. The upper 24 inches is silty clay loam and clay loam. The soils are present where shallow fill has been placed over undisturbed soils. The soils are commonly neutral to moderately alkaline throughout. Controlling erosion, improving fertility and drainage, selecting adapted plant species and preventing pollution are concerns managing these soils.

4.3 Topography

The topography for Marion County was evaluated using U.S.G.S. 7-1/2 minute quadrangle maps and the Soil Survey of Marion County (Miller and Martin, 1989). Slopes of 0 to 2 percent were selected for almost all of the settings in Marion County due to the overall flat lying to gently rolling topography and low relief. Slopes of 2 to 6 percent were assigned to most end moraines exhibiting hummocky terrain. Slopes of 6 to 12 percent were selected for a limited number of areas where the Scioto River or have steeply downcut the surrounding end moraine or ground moraine in southern Marion County.

4.4 Hydrogeology

Marion County lies entirely within the Glaciated Central hydrogeologic setting. Limestones and dolomites of the Silurian and Devonian Systems compose the aquifer in the western and central portions of the county. Yields in the uppermost carbonate aquifers range from 5 gallons to 100 gallons per minute (gpm). Yields over 100 gpm are possible from larger diameter wells drilled deeper into limestone.

5.0 Land Use and Demographic Information

Marion County occupies approximately 404 square miles in north central Ohio. Marion County is bounded to the north by Wyandot County and Crawford County, to the east by Morrow County, to the south by Delaware County, to the west by Union County, and to the west by Hardin County.

The approximate population of Marion County, based upon year 2003 census estimates, is 66,217 (Department of Development, Ohio County Profiles, 2003). The city of Marion is the largest community and the county seat. Agriculture accounts for roughly 86 percent of the land usage in Marion County. Row crops are the primary agricultural land usage. Woodlands, industry, and residenfial are the other major land uses in the county. More specific information on land usage can be obtained from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Real Estate and Land Management (REALM), Resource Analysis Program. The Hydologic Atlas for Ohio (Harstine, 1991) reports an average annual temperature of approximately 51 degrees Fahrenheit for Marion County. Harstine (1991) shows that precipitation approximately averages 36 inches per year for the county. The mean annual precipitation for Marion is 38.5 inches per year based upon a thirty year (1971- 2000) period.

According to the Marion County Farm Service Agency neither groundwater nor surface water in the area of the LSR or Scioto River is used as a resource. 6.0 Migration and Exposure Pathways

6.1 Soil Exposure Pathway

The LSR section in this area is primarily bordered by private agricultural land and state owned wildlife management areas. Accesses to the sections of the river are not restricted. The approximate population within a quarter-mile of the site is 27 (Reference 3), there are no daycare facilities, schools, residences, terrestrial sensitive environments, or designated resources within 200 feet of an area of observed contamination.

6.2 Groundwater Exposure Pathway

The Marion public water supply has 16 wells that provide ground water for the Marion water supply system. Ohio American Water-Marion (Public Water Supply ID# OH5100414) uses both ground water (approximately 51%) and surface water (approximately 49%). The ground water portion is pumped from an extensive carbonate aquifer via a network of 16 public water supply wells located along the Little Scioto River. The section of the LSR, North Rockswale Ditch, and the BWC site are identified as being contaminated and are located within the Marion Well Head Protection Area (WHPA).

The public water system for the city of Marion serves approximately 48,000 residences with this blended system. Creosote and petroleum contamination in saturated sand and gravel features extending outside the banks of the LSR and North Rockswale Ditch have the potential to impact local ground water and the public water supply. Additionally, shallow ground water contamination at the bedrock-till interface at the BWC site has the potential to impact the public water supply.

6.3 Surface Water Exposure Pathway

The Scioto River basin is approximately 6,510 square miles in size, and includes more than 4,000 miles of rivers and streams. It stretches from just inside Auglaize County to the Ohio River at Portsmouth in Scioto County. The LSR begins in Crawford County and flows into the Scioto River at Green Camp, OH, draining 113 square miles.

An average of approximately 34 inches of precipitafion falls on Marion County annually. Based on this 30- year record, the average precipitation is about 2.8 inches per month.

The surface water pathway is a known concern and has prompted both the Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA to fund the removal of contaminated sediments in sections of the Little Scioto River. The first phase of the removal occurred in the North Rockswale ditch tributary to LSR and continued into the LSR from a point 800 feet upstream of the confluence to approximately 1700 feet downstream of the confluence. The 1998 Ohio EPA water quality report showed contaminated sediment extending into the Scioto River approximately 1.5 miles south of Green Camp, OH. This evaluated the LSR and North Rockswale Ditch from Holland Road to 1.5 miles south of the confluence of the Scioto River which is approximately 8.5 river miles.

Based on a report entitled Bottom Sediment Evaluation Little Scioto River. 1992 it stated that there was significant benzo(a)pyrene contamination observed in the LSR between river miles 6.5 and 5.8. The levels were the highest levels ever observed in published data by the a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expert (personal comment Paul C. Baumann 1988). ODH in cooperation with Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), issued consumption advisories under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code 3701). The Ohio Sport fish consumption advisory recommends not eating any fish from this area due to the PAH contaminafion

There is a slight potential of impact to the City of Marion's surface water intake upstream of the Holland Road Bridge if recontamination of the river water occurs from contamination left behind during Phase 1 of the removal action. The surface water portion of the public water supply is drawn from the Little Scioto and Scioto Rivers via two separate intakes.

6.4 Air Pathway

Due to the nature of the contamination, the potential for release to the air is unlikely. There are no sensitive environments, or other resources within four miles of the site that may be adversely affected by the air pathway.

7.0 Conclusions and Site Recommendations

Portions of North Rockswale Ditch and the LSR pose a substantial threat to human health and the environment from creosote laden sediments. These sediments continually discharge oil sheen and PAH contaminants into surface waters that migrate downstream. These uncontrolled discharges led to the issuance of two stream advisories (fish consumption and primary contact). The contamination has also entered into the shallow ground water through sand and gravel features interconnected with the ditch and river. The nature and extent of ground water contamination in the study area is unknown at this time. Contaminants from the site have the potential to impact the public water supply in Marion and any downstream users. Private water wells within close proximity of the river also have the potential to be impacted. Severe degradation of the stream itself has been documented in biological and water quality studies over the past two decades. The LSR and North Rockswale Ditch are recommended for further evaluation through a site investigation (SI). 10

8.0 References

1. Ecology and Environment, Site Assessment Report for Baker Wood Creosoting Site Little Scioto River and North Rockswale Ditch Assessment. 25 May 2000.

2. Angle, Michael P. Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Water (Water Resources Section). Ground Water Potenfial of Marion County, Ohio. Ground Water Pollution Potential Report No. 62. 2003.

3. Ecology and Environment, Draft Screening Site Inspection Report for Berwind Railway Service Marion, Ohio. 11 December 1989.

4. Ohio American Water. 2005 Annual Water Quality Report. Marion, OH. PWS ID OH5100414.

5. Ohio EPA. Bottom Sediment Evaluation, Little Scioto River, Marion, Ohio. Division of Water Quality Planning and Assessment Ecological Assessment Secfion. 4 February 1992.

6. Ohio State University Extension, Food Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Marion County Water Resources, AEX-480.51. Breece, Boone, and Brown.

7. Ohio EPA. Expanded Site Inspecfion (ESI) Report Baker Woods Creosofing Site, Marion County CERCLIS #OH001326610. Division of Emergency of Remedial Response. 23 September 2003.

8. Ohio EPA. Biological and Water Quality Study of Marion Area Streams 1998. Ecological Assessment - Division of Surface Water. 5 May 2000.

9. Ohio EPA. Integrated Assessment Report Baker Wood Creosoting CERCLIS#OH0001326610. Division of Emergency of Remedial Response. 30 March 1998.

10. Ohio EPA. Telephone conversation with the United States Government - Marion County Farm Service Agency. October 17, 2006. 740-387-1315. ( '.i

0.25 0.5 1.6 • Miles N Figure 1: Site Location Map Little Scioto River Marion County, Marion, Ohio A 0.25 0.5 1.5 • Miles

Figure 2: Site Features Map 11 Little Scioto River Marion County, Marion, Ohio A 0.25 0.5 1.5 • Miles N Figure 3: Previous Extent of U.S. EPA's Removal Action Little Scioto River Marion County, Marion, Ohio A Figure 4: Historic USGS Topographic Map Edition of 1905, reprinted 1944 Little Scioto River Marion, Ohio